Kairos materialized in the alley for the fifth time, the reset's jolt hitting like ice water through his veins. Naked, seething, he punched the cobblestone until knuckles split—*possession. Mira turns. No sleep near her.* The faint blue glow under his skin pulsed once, stronger now, like a heartbeat syncing to some hidden rhythm. *Echo Rebirth evolving. Use it.* Mira's footsteps echoed; bread chase incoming. Accelerate.
He intercepted early, yanking her into shadows before thugs rounded the bend. "Trust me—sewer first." No fight, no bait. Her hazel eyes flashed suspicion, but survival instincts won. They dropped into sludge, crawling blind to the fungi chamber.
"Demon?" she whispered, knife ready.
"Later. Cult possesses through sleep. No shacks." Blunt truth. She nodded slow, piecing his "prophet" vibe.
They surfaced near black market at dawn—no haggling, straight steal: dagger, vest from sleeping vendor. Mira pocketed silvers, smirking. "Ghost thief now? Fine by me."
Undercity raid tweaked—no safe house lure. Kairos mapped cult den mentally from loops past, leading surgical strikes: silent throats slit, altar dagger snagged as trophy. *Echo tingle surges holding it.* Purple rite disrupted early; no reinforcements.
Surfacing clean, midday slums buzzed. Lirien's riders patrolled distant, but Kairos veered them to a crowded tavern—*neutral ground.* Over watery ale, Mira grilled: "Echo-bearer. Spill or split."
Fragments only: "Truck death, here. Die, rewind—memories scar. Cult hunts it." Her face hardened, not fear—respect. "Witch's fingers twist minds. Seen friends foam and turn. We kill the whisperer."
Intel from drunk guards: cult "Finger" named Zorath lurks mill ruins, possession rite preps nightly. Plan hatched—ambush at dusk.
Mill loomed skeletal under moons, wind moaning through gaps. They perched rafters, breaths synced. Zorath arrived: gaunt, tattooed eyes, whispering to shadows. Mira's signal—rope noose dropped, yanking him up. Kairos leaped, dagger plunging.
But Zorath laughed, gurgling blood. "Too late, echo-pup. Seed planted." Black tendrils snaked from his corpse, diving for Mira.
Kairos reacted—echo instinct flared. Blue veins ignited; he grabbed tendrils mid-air, *crushing* them to smoke. *Power spike!* Mira gasped, unharmed. "What *was* that?"
"Getting stronger." They torched the body, mill collapsing in flames. Slums lit orange—perfect cover.
Deeper bond now: Mira shared scars—parents demon-eaten, siblings sold. "You're my reset, Kairos." Hand squeeze lingered.
They claimed a sewer overlook as "base"—no sleep risk, watches split. Dawn brought payoff: looted cult scroll listed "Archbishops," Zorath low rung. Bigger fish.
But victory soured. Patrolling near market, Lirien appeared alone—no guards. Silver hair veiled face, spirit orb hovering. "Echo-bearer. I sense your loops. Join me—throne needs your curse."
Temptation hit. *Ally?* Mira tensed beside. "Trap."
Kairos edged closer. "Prove it."
Her orb pulsed—visions flooded: future flames engulfing Lugnica, cult swarms, her death by "greed-shadow." "Help me claim Dragon Jewel. Save us."
Before answer, ground trembled. Cult horn wailed—dozens pouring from alleys, led by robed giant: "Sin Archbishop Vexar. Echo meat ripens."
Spells erupted. Kairos shoved Lirien behind crates, Mira slashing flank. Chaos: fireballs, shadow whips. Kairos' veins blazed full—dagger swung faster, unnatural, bisecting two cultists.
Vexar grinned, hand glowing greed-gold. "Give me your loops." Invisible force yanked Kairos forward, crushing ribs. Mira's knife glanced off. Lirien chanted—white barrier flickered, buying seconds.
Kairos broke free, lunging wild. Vexar's palm slammed his chest—soul-tear agony, memories ripping. "Mine!"
Darkness crashed. Reset.
Alley filth. Naked. Veins faintly scarred blue. *Sixth. Vexar early. Lirien key—but trust?*
⚔️ To be continued!